Arielle Zionts
@ajzionts.bsky.social
✏️: Rural Health Reporter @KFFHealthNews.org
📍: Rapid City
✉️: [email protected]
🚨 Signal: Zionts_RuralHealthNews.22
😍: Story ideas, outdoors, animals, reading, history, art, gravel+mtn biking
❗️: RT means worth reading/knowing, not agreement
📍: Rapid City
✉️: [email protected]
🚨 Signal: Zionts_RuralHealthNews.22
😍: Story ideas, outdoors, animals, reading, history, art, gravel+mtn biking
❗️: RT means worth reading/knowing, not agreement
Pinned
Our story has a map/database of state applications to the Rural Health Transformation Program! Proposals include using drones to deliver meds, installing produce refrigerators, + bringing telehealth to libraries+senior centers.
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
"Elon Musk’s charitable foundation grew larger than ever in 2024. But, for the fourth year in a row, the huge charity failed to give away the minimum amount required by law — and the donations it did make went largely to charities closely tied to Mr. Musk himself."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Elon Musk’s Foundation Grows to $14 Billion, but Gives Little to Outsiders
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:30 PM
"Elon Musk’s charitable foundation grew larger than ever in 2024. But, for the fourth year in a row, the huge charity failed to give away the minimum amount required by law — and the donations it did make went largely to charities closely tied to Mr. Musk himself."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
NEWS: Before it cuts $900 billion-plus from Medicaid, Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" sends $50 billion to states for rural health care.
Who wants the money and what they'd do with it is less than transparent. But @ajzionts.bsky.social + @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social are on the case.
Who wants the money and what they'd do with it is less than transparent. But @ajzionts.bsky.social + @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social are on the case.
Our story has a map/database of state applications to the Rural Health Transformation Program! Proposals include using drones to deliver meds, installing produce refrigerators, + bringing telehealth to libraries+senior centers.
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
December 2, 2025 at 7:50 PM
NEWS: Before it cuts $900 billion-plus from Medicaid, Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" sends $50 billion to states for rural health care.
Who wants the money and what they'd do with it is less than transparent. But @ajzionts.bsky.social + @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social are on the case.
Who wants the money and what they'd do with it is less than transparent. But @ajzionts.bsky.social + @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social are on the case.
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
"The purpose of this policy [not to release applications during review] is to protect the integrity of evaluations, applicant confidentiality..."
Applicant confidentiality for states that are to be responsive to their constituents? These aren't academic faculty or private companies.
Applicant confidentiality for states that are to be responsive to their constituents? These aren't academic faculty or private companies.
Our story has a map/database of state applications to the Rural Health Transformation Program! Proposals include using drones to deliver meds, installing produce refrigerators, + bringing telehealth to libraries+senior centers.
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
December 2, 2025 at 5:36 PM
"The purpose of this policy [not to release applications during review] is to protect the integrity of evaluations, applicant confidentiality..."
Applicant confidentiality for states that are to be responsive to their constituents? These aren't academic faculty or private companies.
Applicant confidentiality for states that are to be responsive to their constituents? These aren't academic faculty or private companies.
Our story has a map/database of state applications to the Rural Health Transformation Program! Proposals include using drones to deliver meds, installing produce refrigerators, + bringing telehealth to libraries+senior centers.
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
December 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Our story has a map/database of state applications to the Rural Health Transformation Program! Proposals include using drones to deliver meds, installing produce refrigerators, + bringing telehealth to libraries+senior centers.
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
A 60 year old in Charleston, WV making $65,000 would see their annual out-of-pocket premium increase from $5,525 to $27,864 if the enhanced ACA tax credits expire.
The same 60 year old living in Charlottesville, VA would see their out-of-pocket premium go from $5,525 to $12,616.
The same 60 year old living in Charlottesville, VA would see their out-of-pocket premium go from $5,525 to $12,616.
December 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
A 60 year old in Charleston, WV making $65,000 would see their annual out-of-pocket premium increase from $5,525 to $27,864 if the enhanced ACA tax credits expire.
The same 60 year old living in Charlottesville, VA would see their out-of-pocket premium go from $5,525 to $12,616.
The same 60 year old living in Charlottesville, VA would see their out-of-pocket premium go from $5,525 to $12,616.
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
An individual ACA enrollee making $25,000 would see their annual out-of-pocket premium increase about 12 fold, from $98 to $1,165, if the enhanced ACA premium tax credits are allowed to expire at the end of the year.
December 1, 2025 at 4:07 PM
An individual ACA enrollee making $25,000 would see their annual out-of-pocket premium increase about 12 fold, from $98 to $1,165, if the enhanced ACA premium tax credits are allowed to expire at the end of the year.
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
One of the challenges in explaining the impact of enhanced ACA tax credits expiring on premium payments is that it varies so much, depending on income, age, family size, and geography. The average increase would be 114%, or $1,016, but there is a wide range.
December 1, 2025 at 4:07 PM
One of the challenges in explaining the impact of enhanced ACA tax credits expiring on premium payments is that it varies so much, depending on income, age, family size, and geography. The average increase would be 114%, or $1,016, but there is a wide range.
“Miles said her son and uncle were both detained by ICE agents who initially did not accept their tribal IDs before they were eventually let go.”
Indigenous actress Elaine Miles of "Northern Exposure" was detained by ICE at a Redmond bus stop. When she showed them her Tribal ID, they told her it was fake
‘Northern Exposure’ actor gave ICE agents in Redmond her tribal ID. They called it ‘fake,’ she says
Indigenous actor Elaine Miles of "Northern Exposure" was detained by ICE at a Redmond bus stop. When she showed them her Tribal ID, they told her it was fake.
www.seattletimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:06 AM
“Miles said her son and uncle were both detained by ICE agents who initially did not accept their tribal IDs before they were eventually let go.”
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
The CDC has turned off its vaccine search tool.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
November 26, 2025 at 5:50 AM
The CDC has turned off its vaccine search tool.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
Up to 90 tortoises and alligators died in the fire, according to Cowboy State Daily 😞
cowboystatedaily.com/2025/11/24/1...
cowboystatedaily.com/2025/11/24/1...
November 24, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Up to 90 tortoises and alligators died in the fire, according to Cowboy State Daily 😞
cowboystatedaily.com/2025/11/24/1...
cowboystatedaily.com/2025/11/24/1...
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
Three charts reveal details of the 351 workplace injuries experienced by turkey industry workers in 2024, which include severed fingers, injured corneas and musculoskeletal disorders. @greymoran.bsky.social and @miriamquick.bsky.social report:
Heat Exhaustion, Amputated Fingers, Crushed Limbs: The Hidden Cost of American Turkey
Three charts reveal details of the 351 workplace injuries experienced by turkey industry workers in 2024, which include severed fingers, injured corneas and musculoskeletal disorders.
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Three charts reveal details of the 351 workplace injuries experienced by turkey industry workers in 2024, which include severed fingers, injured corneas and musculoskeletal disorders. @greymoran.bsky.social and @miriamquick.bsky.social report:
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
Chicagoland hospitals initiated 100s of guardianship petitions in just 18 months. In many cases, that eased the way for hospitals to discharge patients to subpar nursing homes, sometimes bypassing family members who disagreed with the hospital’s choice. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/23/g...
November 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Chicagoland hospitals initiated 100s of guardianship petitions in just 18 months. In many cases, that eased the way for hospitals to discharge patients to subpar nursing homes, sometimes bypassing family members who disagreed with the hospital’s choice. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/23/g...
"More than 1 in 4 physicians surveyed by the American Medical Association in December said that prior authorization had led to a serious adverse event for a patient in their care. And 8% responded that prior authorization led to a disability, birth defect, or death."
Eric Tennant’s doctors recommended histotripsy, which would target, and potentially destroy, a cancerous tumor in his liver. But by the time his insurer approved the treatment, Tennant was no longer considered a good candidate. He died in September. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
After Series of Denials, His Insurer Approved Doctor-Recommended Cancer Care. It Was Too Late. - KFF Health News
Eric Tennant’s doctors recommended histotripsy, which would target, and potentially destroy, a cancerous tumor in his liver. But by the time his insurer approved the treatment, Tennant was no longer c...
kffhealthnews.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:57 PM
"More than 1 in 4 physicians surveyed by the American Medical Association in December said that prior authorization had led to a serious adverse event for a patient in their care. And 8% responded that prior authorization led to a disability, birth defect, or death."
“Therapy Dog? This Poodle Is Actually a Psychiatrist And She’s Out of Network”
reductress.com/post/therapy...
reductress.com/post/therapy...
Therapy Dog? This Poodle Is Actually a Psychiatrist And She's Out of Network
Women's News. Feminized.
reductress.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
“Therapy Dog? This Poodle Is Actually a Psychiatrist And She’s Out of Network”
reductress.com/post/therapy...
reductress.com/post/therapy...
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
www.npr.org/2025/11/18/g...
US deported 50 people to Ukraine this week. This appears to be single largest such deportation from the US since the country has been at war with Russia.
Immigration lawyers have raised concerns that those deported to Ukraine could be conscripted to fight in the war.
US deported 50 people to Ukraine this week. This appears to be single largest such deportation from the US since the country has been at war with Russia.
Immigration lawyers have raised concerns that those deported to Ukraine could be conscripted to fight in the war.
U.S. deports dozens of migrants to Ukraine amid war
Immigration lawyers say those deported to Ukraine could be conscripted to fight in the war, contrary to international laws that prohibit deportations to places where people could face violence.
www.npr.org
November 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
www.npr.org/2025/11/18/g...
US deported 50 people to Ukraine this week. This appears to be single largest such deportation from the US since the country has been at war with Russia.
Immigration lawyers have raised concerns that those deported to Ukraine could be conscripted to fight in the war.
US deported 50 people to Ukraine this week. This appears to be single largest such deportation from the US since the country has been at war with Russia.
Immigration lawyers have raised concerns that those deported to Ukraine could be conscripted to fight in the war.
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
Leaders of the Maasai ethnic group in Kenya seek a court order to demolish a Ritz-Carlton luxury safari camp, saying it blocks a route on the famous Serengeti wildlife migration.
Maasai Sue Marriott Over Ritz-Carlton Safari Camp
Tribal leaders say the tourism development blocks one of the main migration routes of the Serengeti
on.wsj.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Leaders of the Maasai ethnic group in Kenya seek a court order to demolish a Ritz-Carlton luxury safari camp, saying it blocks a route on the famous Serengeti wildlife migration.
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
U.S. and Israeli soldiers, foreign diplomats and aid workers are congregated in a warehouse in central Israel to talk about the future of Gaza. One key group is missing: Palestinians.
Palestinian Voices Absent from U.S.-Run Center Planning Gaza’s Future
U.S. and Israeli soldiers, foreign diplomats and aid workers are congregated in a warehouse in central Israel to talk about the future of Gaza. One key group is missing: Palestinians.
nyti.ms
November 18, 2025 at 11:41 AM
U.S. and Israeli soldiers, foreign diplomats and aid workers are congregated in a warehouse in central Israel to talk about the future of Gaza. One key group is missing: Palestinians.
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
Videos show Rankin County jail guards mocking intellectually disabled inmate
Days after Rankin County jail guards used an electric vest to shock an intellectually disabled man in exchange for a Coke, they shared videos of him singing Happy Birthday and falling for pranks.
Days after Rankin County jail guards used an electric vest to shock an intellectually disabled man in exchange for a Coke, they shared videos of him singing Happy Birthday and falling for pranks.
Videos show Rankin County jail guards mocking intellectually disabled inmate
Days after Rankin County jail guards used an electric vest to shock an intellectually disabled man in exchange for a Coke, they shared videos of him singing Happy Birthday and falling for pranks.
mississippitoday.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Videos show Rankin County jail guards mocking intellectually disabled inmate
Days after Rankin County jail guards used an electric vest to shock an intellectually disabled man in exchange for a Coke, they shared videos of him singing Happy Birthday and falling for pranks.
Days after Rankin County jail guards used an electric vest to shock an intellectually disabled man in exchange for a Coke, they shared videos of him singing Happy Birthday and falling for pranks.
Really sad: A fire at Reptile Gardens killed endangered African Spurred Tortoises, the third-largest tortoise in the world. It also killed red-footed tortoises which are vulnerable, and American alligators which aren't at risk. It's unclear if the building had sprinklers.
November 21, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Really sad: A fire at Reptile Gardens killed endangered African Spurred Tortoises, the third-largest tortoise in the world. It also killed red-footed tortoises which are vulnerable, and American alligators which aren't at risk. It's unclear if the building had sprinklers.
"The new autism page is still headed with the statement “Vaccines do not cause Autism,” but with an asterisk linked to a notice that the phrase was retained on the site only “due to an agreement” with Cassidy. The rest of the page contradicts the header."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
What To Know About the CDC’s Baseless New Guidance on Autism - KFF Health News
A reshaped CDC website suggesting that vaccines cause autism has appalled the medical community.
kffhealthnews.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:48 PM
"The new autism page is still headed with the statement “Vaccines do not cause Autism,” but with an asterisk linked to a notice that the phrase was retained on the site only “due to an agreement” with Cassidy. The rest of the page contradicts the header."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
You don't want whooping cough! I had it during summer camp when I was in middle school. We had to be quarantined inside a cabin and the coughing was so intense it made us pee!
Whooping cough is resurging in the U.S.
Falling vaccine coverage + waning immunity = babies at risk.
Pregnant women, teens, adults: Get your Tdap.
Clinicians: Watch for persistent coughs.
@celinegounder.com reports ⤵️
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Falling vaccine coverage + waning immunity = babies at risk.
Pregnant women, teens, adults: Get your Tdap.
Clinicians: Watch for persistent coughs.
@celinegounder.com reports ⤵️
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Waning Immunity and Falling Vaccination Rates Fuel Pertussis Outbreaks - KFF Health News
New details from health officials suggest the whooping-cough surge may be part of a national pattern driven by slipping vaccine coverage and waning immunity, with infants bearing the brunt of the cons...
kffhealthnews.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:53 PM
You don't want whooping cough! I had it during summer camp when I was in middle school. We had to be quarantined inside a cabin and the coughing was so intense it made us pee!
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
"Okay, you may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield," the 911 caller said. "It absolutely shattered my windshield."
'Craziest thing I've ever seen' 911 call released after eagle drops cat through windshield
Authorities have released a 911 call related to an incident involving a bald eagle dropping a cat through a car's windshield Wednesday morning.
wlos.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:42 AM
"Okay, you may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield," the 911 caller said. "It absolutely shattered my windshield."
As SD Governor, Kristi Noem described herself as a fighter against antisemitism. She now oversees the Coast Guard which is no longer classifying antisemitic and racist symbols as hate symbols.
Exclusive: The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, nooses and the Confederate flag as hate symbols.
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:47 PM
As SD Governor, Kristi Noem described herself as a fighter against antisemitism. She now oversees the Coast Guard which is no longer classifying antisemitic and racist symbols as hate symbols.
Reposted by Arielle Zionts
KFF Health News and @thetrace.org are talking to people who’ve been wounded or families of those killed by gun violence to better understand how insurance affects such medical care.
Click below to reach our reporting team ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Click below to reach our reporting team ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Help Us Investigate Medical Care for Gunshot Wounds - KFF Health News
We’d like to talk to people who’ve been wounded or families of those killed by gun violence to better understand how insurance affects such medical care.
kffhealthnews.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
KFF Health News and @thetrace.org are talking to people who’ve been wounded or families of those killed by gun violence to better understand how insurance affects such medical care.
Click below to reach our reporting team ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Click below to reach our reporting team ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
This refers to breast cancer. But, as the story mentions, oral birth control can also significantly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer which is much less common than breast cancer but harder to detect and therefore has a high mortality rate.
A study of millions of Swedish women found a slightly increased cancer risk in those who used hormonal birth control. But there’s nuance in the numbers, and doctors say benefits far outweigh the risk for most patients.
@celinegounder.com reports ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
@celinegounder.com reports ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Breast Cancer and Birth Control: A Huge New Study Shows How Science Can Be Distorted - KFF Health News
The study sought to answer questions about how breast cancer risk differs by type of hormonal contraceptive. Doctors say the results won’t change how they counsel patients.
kffhealthnews.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:36 AM
This refers to breast cancer. But, as the story mentions, oral birth control can also significantly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer which is much less common than breast cancer but harder to detect and therefore has a high mortality rate.